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Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana is consistently promoting innovative eco-friendly technologies for sustainable development of livestock and fisheries sectors, in coherence with regional needs and farmer requirements. In view of continuous rise in production costs, integrated models involving synergistic combination of suitable farming systems are promoted by the university. In this context, a delegation of experts led by Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU visited integrated fish cum livestock farmers in Barnala and Sangrur district to review their progress and requirements through an on-farm interaction. S. Sukhminder Singh, Village Uppali in district Barnala, involved in fish cum pig farming for last 5 years, informed that he could run his farm scientifically owing to technical support received from GADVASU and its Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Handiaya, Barnala. By recycling pig shed waste in fish ponds, he is harvesting 25-30 quintals of fish/acre, with an annual net income of up to 1.5 lakh/acre and significant saving on fish feeding.
S. Sapinder Singh of Village Qilla Hakima, district Sangrur shared his 10 years of fish cum pig farming experiences. Being a pioneer in integrated farming in the district, he mobilized number of farmers into integrated farming and is in regular contact with the university for technical Handholding. With 8 acres area under aquaculture, he is also harvesting 25-30 quintal of fish/acre, with an annual net profit between 1.25-1.50 lakh/acre. Although, both the farmers suffered a setback in pig farming due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown/restrictions, but are reviving back with great demand in Northeast and Kerala. Both the farmers are using fish ponds as a reservoir to irrigate the agricultural fields, which further saves input cost on crop fertilizers.
Fish cum pig farming is one of the most profitable integrated setups, where pig waste can be economically recycled into fish ponds, offering economic and environmental benefits, said Dr. Inderjeet Singh. Such farming systems shall be adopted for optimized utilization of available resources for higher economic returns and sustainability, he added.
Technological needs and problems of the farmers were recorded by the expert team constituting Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Dean, College of Fisheries, Dr. R.S. Grewal, Director Livestock Farms and Dr. Abhed Pandey, Assistant Professor Fisheries.
